I don't understand Americans who have the ability to own a gun and yet don't. I would. They aren't that expensive, you can be taught how to use it properly, and then you always have it if you ever need it.

You can own some kind of firearm in many, or even all European countries as far as I'm aware. The amount of paperwork you have to go through, the restrictions on what kind of firearm you can own, and the laws specifying where/how you have to store it and where you can carry it vary a lot, though.

Most European countries take a synonymous approach to gun ownership. Most require a permit to own any type of firearms, the number of guns you can own is regulated, certain calibers are banned, some restrict gun ownership to hunting/sporting purposes, etc. Switzerland is the most similiar to the US, however.